Would you live in an old office? Boston is betting the answer is yes

Boston is offering developers big incentives to turn empty offices into new housing. The first developer to take advantage of this program chose a 19th century building in the city's downtown business district. How did it go? GBH News followed along from planning and financing through construction and - 15 months later - final move-in. This video features Boston Pinnacle Properties developer Adam Burns and his team as they show, step by step, what actually goes into transforming an office building into a place to live. It also explains the design, zoning and financial conditions needed to make office-to-housing conversions work. The project is part of a broader city effort to address two urgent challenges: -A growing housing shortage -Empty downtown office buildings left behind by the post-pandemic office market shift. Boston recently extended its office-to-residential conversion program after officials said it exceeded expectations, with 1,500 apartments already in the pipeline. Based on developer interest, the city estimates the expanded program could add another 1,000 housing units. Watch to see how an office building becomes a place to live — step by step — and why office-to-residential conversion could shape the future of Boston’s downtown. Read more from GBH News Reporter Liz Neisloss here: https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2026-... GBH News wants to hear from YOU! We are conducting our annual audience survey 📝 https://bit.ly/3ZQXSQr. This will help us understand your interests and what you want to see more of from us. It only takes a few minutes, and we are grateful for your input. 🙌 GBH News is a premier source for in-depth local news and original story telling based in Boston, Massachusetts. Subscribe to the GBH News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/gbhnews?sub... Subscribe to our GBH Daily newsletter at https://www.wgbh.org/daily?utm_Newsle... Follow GBH News on Instagram:   / gbhnews   Like GBH News on Facebook:   / gbhnews   Follow GBH News on X:   / gbhnews   Visit our website: https://www.wgbh.org/news Support GBH and help shape a future where facts matter, stories unite us, and everyone has access to quality media. Join us. Fund the Future: https://bit.ly/FundtheFutureYT